Crew Blog

New Skills!!!

28 May 2008

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper - getting wet on the bow

We are now almost a week into our seventh and final leg, and as a “Round the Worlder” I would like to reflect on some of the changes that I have witnessed happen over the past eight or nine months.

One area of change is the sailing skill level of the crew, I’m sure that Hannah would, at times, question this, but from the early days of not knowing the names of all the lines (ropes) on deck, we are now able to helm a spinnaker, in 20/25 knots of wind, without turning our skipper into a gibbering wreck.

Our ability to adapt to the forever changing conditions onboard has also progressed, we no longer look like startled rabbits in car headlights as we appear on deck, when the boat is heeling over at a ridiculous angle and waves crashing over the bow.

Maintaining and cleaning of our lovely vessel has improved dramatically. At the end of each race we can now deep clean the bilges, service the winches, repair chaffed lines and re-stock the galley in less than half the time of the early days. I reckon this amazing improvement is down to the “carrot” that Hannah has imposed over this activity: “Once you are finished, you can go on the beer!!!”

Joking aside the improvement in skill levels is testament to all that have, at times, dug deep to make “Glasgow” a happy, efficient and proud racing machine, none more than our ever patient, optimistic, happy, smiling, caffeine fuelled, “frog on speed” Skipper Han.

I hope after we arrive back in Liverpool and, as individuals, return to the lives we left behind, we can continue to practice our new found skills and sail faster, sail safer and just as importantly keep smiling and laughing.

Thank you, Hannah, for an awesome experience.

Dafydd
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper

PS Thanks to all at AYC for our support.

1. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 29 May 2008

It’s 1pm on Thursday. The table says that you are in the lead, but I’m still nervous. I wish I knew westernaustralia’s position… It’s 12 hours since they have reported and they aren’t that far behind. Let’s be honest here, no-one is far behind!

If they haven’t passed you then you are doing fine. but anyone doing more than a knot in almost any direction will quickly overhaul you so Miss Jenner’s Academy may have to introduce a course for advanced sailing techniques in low wind conditions.

Sail safe and fast. Go Glasgow!

2. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 29 May 2008

Fantastic! I’ve just seen their position and you are still in the lead. Terrific stuff.

Go Glasgow!

3. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 29 May 2008

Hi Hannah and crew of the lovely Black Pearl! Great blog Dafydd and its good to know that you are all enjoying your various experiences in this once in a lifetime adventure! Even better on the race viewer today you’re in FIRST!! Bet Hannah is really piling on the pressure now as it is yet another very close race - you all seem tied together! You have to use all your much practised skills and carry on pulling away from the rest of the fleet - a first would mean so much to you all at this stage (and also for all us comp nerds!)
GO GLASGOW GO!! Fingers and toes crossed for the result we all want!
Sail very fast and safe, as always,
Lorna & Jon

4. Erica, Edinburgh 29 May 2008

Great blog Dafydd! As a “hemi-Round the Worlder” it was clear to me when I left in Oz, that team Glasgow would continue to go from strength to strength, and I am delighted to hear that this is so.

You seem to be keeping up the light wind stealth reputation, poling first in the current sched, but no doubt there is a lot of hard work and an element of luck standing between you and that yellow pennant. You keep up the hard work and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the favourable winds.

5. Doddsy, The weege! 29 May 2008

Hughesy my boy!

Good to hear from you buddy! Great and very true words but you forgot one last skill that this little jaunt around the globe has left you with....surfing, dude! The words of Uncle Brian on your surfing “technique” will never be forgotten. Amen to the “dancing” and long live North Shore! Rumour has it that I’m on a stag do in Cork which may coincide with your arrival so see you there and roll on Liverpool.

High fives all round,

Doddsy

Ps At what point after 10 cans of Chinese “super-strength” Red Bull did Han stop being a gibbering wreck??!!?? Answers on a post card. See you soon chum!

6. siany reynolds, At at my desk! 29 May 2008

Come on The Black Pearl and my favourite non-black boat Jamacia.Think I would be sick with excitement if I was with you at the moment.Can’t wait to see you all Love Siany

7. Connie Bousfield, Grantham Lincolnshire 29 May 2008

Keep going Dafydd and rest of Glasgow with style crew! watching your daily progress as always and you deserve a top podium finish! Connie and family.x

8. Dee & Nick Sawyer, Aberaeron, West Wales 29 May 2008

Hi to all the Glasgow crew! Nick and I have been back to France for two weeks and reminisced on our visit with you all in la Rochelle last September when you achieved your first podium place. How far you have all travelled in time , distance and experience. It has been great keeping tabs on your progress over all the races and sometimes quite addictive !!
We so hope you finally achieve a first, SO keep up your current place. We need another flag in the clubhouse.
Dafydd --- You won’t recognise the clubhouse when you see it again --- new decor, new decking, new marquees, even posh chairs and tables for the huge deck area. We look forward to seeing you there very soon.
Regards and fair winds to you all
Dee & Nick

9. sian reynolds, Bristol - & smiling for you guys! 30 May 2008

Dafydd - almost naked on the bow, check you out you welsh adonis!!!!! The pose almost certainly knocks kate winslet off her pose at the bow of the titanic!
Great great great work as always from the black pearl, her crew who are relentless with the energy & skill & their ninja pirate skipper. Fingers crossed for a yellow one this time guys - Go get it!!!!!!!!! Smiling as always at your continual achievements & so proud of you all. Lisa - we’re banned from facebook in work & i havenot got internet access in my little flat yet but i promise as soon as i go home to wales i’ll facebook you & Han’s. Loads of Love and may the force & wind be with you! Go for it guys! x x x x xx

10. pam brunton, canada 30 May 2008

Hi Robin, This is your last leg, the boys await you in the Big Apple. Will hear all your tales when I see you next week. My best to all on board, the journey has been awesome. God speed across the Atlantic and home… pam

11. Emma, 30 May 2008

GO GO GO Glasgow. Yet another race called early, good luck with the last few hours sailing. HH are behind you!!

12. Commode Door, Not Stylish part of Glasgow 31 May 2008

If the 00.00 results are right - Hard Lines guys - as usual you’ve sailed a great leg and once again got beaten. Hope the weather is kind enough to you to let you get lots of jobs done so you can relax in NY.

Youse wis robbed!!!

13. Colin Pelton, Sunny Salisbury 31 May 2008

Well done the Black Pearl and especially the Sherriff! By my poor maths you’re still in with a good chance of taking the whole race if you keep it steady. Hope the North Atlantic brings good sailing and some good luck. Looking forward to seeing you back in the summer. The Pelts.

14. Kate Inglis, Glasgow 01 June 2008

Hey Rosco, Greetings form sunny Glasgow. Hope you have settled into ocean life and are enjoying the last leg with the team. Hope you have not poinsoned anyone yet, I know what your cooking skills are all about!! You’ll need to get some photos up of you and the crew. I am just about to book our accomodation for liverpool today and look forward to partying with you then. Good luck for the rest of the race and I look forward to tuning in for more updates.
Go Glasgow,
Cheers Kate

15. barbara & Jon, aberaeron 01 June 2008

Hi dafs

jon and I were gutted when the shortned course was anounced and you had just slipped out of the top 3, what a great race!, I hope you have enjoyed your parents visit , we can’t wait for your home coming to AYC, Calon Lan will seem like a dinghy after your experience,
best of wishes, keep safe and enjoy the rest of this fantastic experience

barbara & Jon

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